Nice Goal. Bad Game.

(photos courtesy of bbc.co.uk)

Well well well.
It was as predicted but just the other way 'round.
In extended time, with the prospect of penalties looming, Drogba proved again why he was the lead scorer in the Premiership this year - despite having been beaten out by Ronaldo for Player of the Year.

The first half of the game was ridiculously slow and Rooney seemed to be the only player with any drive to win. Minus an almost goal by Ryan Giggs, which was either pushed into Cech by Giggs, or pushed out by Cech into Giggs, there were only three other shots on target. The Giggs incident resulted in a denial of a penalty that no one seems to dispute they should have been awarded. How that could or would have changed things, we'll never know.



Clearly Mourinho, despite being petty and arrogant, knew the game Manchester wanted to play and he did not allow them to play it. They predictably doubled Ronaldo anytime he had the ball, leaving him with little room to work his magic or engage Rooney in their tag team that served Man U so well this season. Giggs was not in top form despite his hard effort, much of it appeared futile and sloppy. Smith came on too late to rejuvinate the players, and Mourinho saving Robben for the second half was smart. Chelsea overall seemed to be a bit more deliberate in their playing, leading Man U into a slow, tactical game that refused The Reds their opportunity to play the game they wanted - a quick, fast paced game. Instead, the pitch was slow and the players looked tired.

It became obvious that whoever scored first would win, and Chelsea was the better team in the end. The final, however, was less the glorious for either team, and while Man U clearly is shouldering the loss more heavily, Chelsea really doesn't have that much to celebrate as both teams played like rubbish.